AT THE height of the election campaign period, a group of small and marginalized fishermen from the sought the help of the Negros Occidental government to curb what the fishermen tagged as massive illegal fishing activities in the southern part of the province.
On Sunday, reelected Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. had issued what is expected as a stern warning against those engaged in illegal fishing activities, and called on the “coastal communities to band together, close ranks and police their territorial waters,” together with uniformed men deputized by the Provincial Bantay Dagat Coordinating Council.
The public hopes that the governor will set a precedence on those involved in massive illegal fishing activities, especially the proverbial “big fishes” behind the nefarious undertaking.
Fishermen, especially those actually affected or have been affected by illegal fishing activities, particularly those unreported cases, or incidents which may have not reached the proper authorities, must thank the governor for this effort at curbing what is perceived as activities which could cause them economic death, not to mention the loss of hope to survive the daily grind.
For their part, concerned government agencies, especially the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office, Provincial Environment Management Office and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, as well as the Bantay Dagat must ensure that they get their acts together in support of the governor’s aim to combat illegal fishing.
As this is a concerted effort and endeavor, all those actively involved must prove that the call of the governor is not a mere lip service, but a serious business.